Since 2013 every major decision v Arsenal has gone Chelsea’s way

It feels like the same old story, and that's because it is. We do something stupid, Chelsea take advantage, we don't beat them. Basically there...
Kevin Friend

Kevin Friend: Watford v Arsenal referee preview

Kevin Friend will take charge of Arsenal’s game against Watford on Saturday, so what can we expect from the man who was once removed from a match because Tottenham fans complained he supported Leicester?
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal lifts the FA Community Shield Trophy following the team's victory after the penalty shootout during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Referee embarrasses himself as Arsenal beat Manchester City

Wembley Stadium witnessed yet more  controversial refereeing decisions involving Arsenal and Stuart Attwell, as the Gunners beat City to lift the Community Shield.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Bobby Madley (C) gives Jose Fonte of Southampton a yellow card for a foul in the box during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on September 10, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Premier League referee quits

Premier League referee, Bobby Madley, has quit football to move to Norway with his partner.
Manchester, England, 28th August 2021. Granit Xhaka of Arsenal is shown a red card by referee Martin Atkinson during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture credit should read: Darren Staples / Sportimage

Referee defends Laporte punching Chambers: “Contact is part of football”

Former referee Chris Foy has used his Mail on Sunday column to defend Calum Chambers being punched in the face in the lead up to Manchester City's second goal.

Atkinson horror show highlights desperate need for change

After a poor display from Martin Atkinson in Arsenal's win over Sunderland, our resident laws-of-the-game expert, got a little bit worked up...
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected at full time after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

FA show 1 set of rules for Tottenham, 1 set for everybody else

If the FA aren’t going to charge Davinson Sanchez, then they must demote Anthony Taylor.
Referee Stuart Attwell (R) checks VAR and awards a penalty during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal first to 100 red card milestone despite being spineless softies

Arsenal became the first side the in the Premier League era to reach 100 red cards when Gabriel was sent off against Manchester City on New Year's Day, but how can that be when they've been largely criticised for being too soft?
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Arsenal players surround the Referee Andy Madley after a late penalty appeal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

FA charge Arsenal but not Newcastle or referee

Arsenal have been charged by the FA for failing to control their players but Newcastle United have not been hit while Andy Madley is in charge of a game this weekend.
Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz waits for a red card decision during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

Why Arsenal’s red card appeal was denied but Southampton’s wasn’t

There seems to be a lot of confusion around the law in the Premier League and that's making David Luiz's red card even more ridiculous.
Martin Atkinson

Arsenal to get no love from referee against West Ham

Martin Atkinson takes charge of Arsenal's game against West Ham, so what can both sides expect from one of PGMOL’s finest?
Bayern Munich's English striker #09 Harry Kane reacts during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first-leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at the Arsenal Stadium, in north London, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

Kane elbow a “Blatant red card” says former referee

Ex-referee Keith Hackett says Harry Kane's elbow on Gabriel was a clear red card. Did the referee miss a crucial call?
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal or Manchester City? Referees DO see a difference

Discover the intriguing pattern of yellow card frequency for footballers who've played for both Manchester City and Arsenal.

Anthony Taylor appointed Arsenal v Watford referee

Arsenal fans the world over shudder when they hear the name Anthony Taylor, but maybe we shouldn't.

Anthony Taylor appointed referee for Manchester City game

Anthony Taylor will take charge of Arsenal’s game against Manchester City on Sunday.
Mike Dean

Just 3 referees in charge of 60% of Arsenal Premier League games this season

Mike Dean will take charge of our trip to West Ham on Monday night as we move back into our rotation of regular refs with just three taking charge of 60% of Arsenal's games this season.
Mark Clattenburg and Alexis Sanchez

Would video refereeing have helped Arsenal against Everton?

There were two disputed decisions by referee Mark Clattenburg late in the game against Everton and with the recent experiment introducing Video Assistant Referees, we can wonder what would have happened there and what could happen in the near future.
Fourth Official Craig Pawson talks to assistant referee and linesman Assistant Referee Constantine Hatzidakis during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 9, 2023.(Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Constantine Hatzidakis suspended until 2 investigations conclude

Controversial elbow incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis has implications for Arsenal and raises questions on refereeing integrity.

FA explain Gabriel decision

The FA have finally released the full written reasons for rescinding Gabriel's three-match ban. The Brazilian defender was sent off for violent conduct at Stamford...
Martin Atkinson

Arsenal get boost with ref’s Chelsea record but still face tough task

Martin Atkinson will take charge of Arsenal’s game at Chelsea on Saturday and that means one thing – a kick-fest.
Arsene Wenger sent off

Wenger called Moss a ‘cheat’ but can he defend himself against the FA?

Arsene Wenger was sent off at the end of the very heated Burnley game, and he will likely be charged by the FA for using the word 'cheat' as revealed by the Evening Standard.

The man in the middle: Martin Atkinson

Martin Atkinson will take charge of Arsenal's semi-final game against Reading at Wembley on Saturday. The ref, who hails from West Yorkshire, is not a favourite...

Premier League refs WILL use VAR more from this weekend

Premier League refs are set to use VAR more despite saying they wouldn't. On Thursday, it was claimed that the Premier League had told PGMOL...
Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard (R) reacts after being fouled by Manchester City's Croatian midfielder #08 Mateo Kovacic (C) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 8, 2023. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal win should not shield referee and VAR from consequences

Arsenal's win over Manchester City raises questions about Premier League refereeing inconsistencies that will fall from view because Arsenal won. They shouldn't.

The man in the middle – Mike Jones

Mike Jones will take charge of Newcastle v Arsenal and that's not good news for the Gunners.

The man in the middle – Michael Oliver review

So how did Michael Oliver do at Old Trafford? Given Arsenal won, I think you can work that out for yourself...but if you can't, we've got you covered.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Referee Stuart Attwell during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Controversial referee in charge of Arsenal Manchester City Community Shield clash

The officials for the Community Shield have been confirmed, with just over three weeks until Arsenal face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
English referee Kevin Friend shows a yellow card to Arsenal's English defender Calum Chambers (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 30, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Arsenal get fewest fouls per yellow, Liverpool and Leicester the most

As I was browsing some stats this morning I couldn't help notice Arsenal's yellow card count in the league this season and wondered how it stacked up against other teams. It's safe to say I was astounded by what I found.

Arsenal get worst possible referee appointment for FA Cup game v Hull

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Mike Dean has been appointed referee for our FA Cup match against Hull. Remember Mike...

3 Arsenal players at risk of suspension as card-happy ref appointed for Napoli game

Romanian referee, Ovidiu Haţegan, will take charge of Arsenal’s trip to Napoli, assisted by Octavian Şovre and Sebastian Gheorghe, and additional officials Radu Petrescu and Sebastian Colţescu and the reserve referee Radu Ghinguleac.
Referee Stuart Attwell views a VAR screen after Leeds United's Liam Cooper fouled Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 14, 2021. (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

VAR decisions against Arsenal this season

VAR decisions against Arsenal have been a common theme with the one against Burnley just the latest in a long line of bad decisions this season.

All 8 of Diego Costa’s offences against Arsenal

It's pretty clear that Diego Costa was lucky to stay on the pitch on Saturday afternoon. Mike Dean's refereeing performance, which saw Arsenal receive two...
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal speaks with Match Referee Anthony Taylor during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on January 19, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal get another terrible referee for Manchester United game

Jon Moss will take charge of Arsenal's game against United while Anthony Taylor has been appointed to another Premier League match this weekend despite his catalogue of blunders during the Spurs game, proving once again that there is zero accountability for officials within the English game.

Penalty loving ref to take charge of Arsenal v Burnley

Roger East has been appointed referee for Arsenal's 4th round FA Cup tie against Burnley on Saturday, but what does that mean for us? In...

The man in the middle – Robert Madley review

Robert Madley took charge of Arsenal's emphatic last day win over West Brom at the Emirates. The 29-year-old was taking charge of only his fourth...

The man in the middle – Kevin Friend review

It would be churlish to moan about the referee after watching Arsenal out-Arsenal themselves against Swansea. Sure, he should have booked Jonjo Shelvey in the...
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal is shown a yellow card by referee Martin Atkinson during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Leicester close on Liverpool but Arsenal still top of yellow card table

Arsenal sit top of the yellow card table with more yellows than anyone else, a higher yellow-per-game rate than any other side while picking up yellows for fewer fouls than any other side in the Premier League.
Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp applauds at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024. Arsenal wins 3 - 1 against Liverpool. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp moans about referee after Arsenal defeat

While Jurgen Klopp acknowledged his side's shortcomings against Arsenal, he couldn't resist taking a swipe at referee Anthony Taylor's officiating.

The man in the middle – Svein Oddvar Moen review

It would be incredibly churlish of me to point at the referee as the reason Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League so I won't even though he got a number of calls wrong.

What can Crystal Palace and Arsenal expect from Monday’s referee?

Michael Oliver will take charge of Arsenal’s trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night, so what can both sides expect from the official?